Gyalshing, 7th May, 2019 (IPR): The First round of Training for Counting Supervisors, Counting Assistants and Micro Observers was held at the Community Hall, Gyalshing, West Sikkim. The training was chaired by Shri. Karma R. Bonpo, DC West along with Shri. Karma Lodey Lepcha, ADC West and Shri. Tushar G. Nikhare, SDM (HQ). Shri. Jigme Wangchuk Bhutia, SDM Ravangla was the Master Trainer for the program.
Shri. Karma R. Bonpo addressed the trainees present on the layout of how and where the Counting would take place in the district. He mentioned that a three layered security system would be constituted wherein the State Police, State intelligence Bureau and Central Parliamentary Armed Forces would be deployed to ensure proper security. He also mentioned that separate counting halls for Parliamentary and Assembly Constituency have been designated, Hall 1 (BRC Auditorium Hall, Govt. Girls SSS, Kyongsa) and Hall 2 (Auditorium Hall, Govt. Girls SSS, Kyongsa for Parliamentary and Assembly Constituencies respectively.
He also mentioned that the personnel involved in the counting process would be given Identity Cards without which they wouldn’t be allowed to enter the premises. He also advised that every personnel must be alert and vigilant in their duties. He further informed that randomization of the counting tables would start from 5am on 23rd May, 2019. He also informed that the entire process of opening of strong rooms, opening of EVMs would be videotaped for evidence purpose.
Master Trainer Shri. Jigme W. Bhutia spoke on the objective of the training was to learn about the counting of Postal Ballots, Counting of Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballots, Counting of Votes recorded in EVMs, Counting of VVPAT slips and Compilation of data. He also spoke in depth about the filling of different forms, compilation of data, counting teams for EVMs, Postal Ballots and Additional Counting Team for the ECI Observer, Counting Team Compositions (1 Counting Supervisor, 1 Counting Assistant, 1 Micro Observer and one Support staff), Micro Observers and their duties, computation team who have to compile data manually and digitally, process involved in the postal ballot counting, cross checking of results by the ECI Observer and other aspects associated with the counting procedure